Pictorial rattle



July 7, 1942. M. DAVIS PICTORIAL BATTLE Filed 001:. 5, 1946 .A/oltfog Z 12/ Patented July 7, 1942 UhiiTED STATES PICTORIAL BATTLE ration Application October 5, 1940, 'Serial No. 359,957

Claims.

The following description relates to a pictorial rattle suitable for the entertainment and amusement of infants. Devices of this kind ordinarily are of such size and form as to be convenient for the infant to handle and at the same time pro vide a safe compartment in which rattle elements are contained so that the infant can shake the rattle and thus make agreeable sounds.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a rattle which in addition to the ordinary purposes, will provide an illustration, picture or the like which will amuse the infant and may also be associated with sound of the rattle itself.

In carrying out the above purpose I have made the rattle elements visible and thus add to the attraction by providing rattle elements which may be colored or formed to appeal to the eye as well as make the usual rattle sounds.

In the forms in which my invention is embodied, the pictorial representation is replaced sufficiently behind the transparent panel through which it is viewed, that an illusion of depth is obtained, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the illustration.

A further object of my invention is to protect the pictorial illustration from abrasion or marring by the rattle elements as they may slide or strike against the picture.

As an incident to my invention I have also given the picture a roughened surface which in itself will increase the effectiveness of the rattle elements when they strike or slide across the pictorial back.

The form of my rattle is such that a pocket or recess is provided at one end so that the rattle elements may be momentarily rendered inconspicuous or even invisible'thus heightening the attractiveness or interest which the rattle will have for the child.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved rattle;

Fig. 2 is an end view showing the handle;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section in a plane running from front to back as indicated by line 3-3 in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the method of protecting an ornamented back.

I prefer to construct my improved pictorial rattle of plastic material having the thickness of a thin sheet and capable of being molded or pressed into desired forms. The article consists of two principal parts. A front member 5 of thin sheet form is molded. or pressed to provide outwardly sloping terraced sides 5. These sides terminate in a peripheral flange 1. Within the sides 6 there is provided a relatively flat panel 8. The panel 8 is made of transparent material and the sloping or stepped sides 5 may also be of transparent material. However, the terraced form of the sides is such as to partially obstruct a clear view into the compartment.

The back member 9 is also of thin sheet plastic material formed in the same manner as the front member 5. It also has the stepped sides l0 although their shape is not of consequence. A flange H is provided around the sides It) and is held in interfitting contact Within the peripheral flange 1 of the front member.

The base ends of the members 5 and 9 are shaped to provide a boss 12. This boss forms a continuation of the sides 6 and II]. There is thus provided a recess or pocket for a purpose which will be later described.

The end of the boss IZ has a projection l3 which holds a teething ring I l or analogous handle.

The inner surface of the back member 9 carrles a pictorial decoration or illustration 15. This is arranged opposite the transparent panel 8 and substantially parallel thereto. The decoration may be applied by printing, transfer, decalcomania or similar process. In order to protect the picture, I have applied a transparent surface coating It illustrated more particularly in Fig. 4. This transparent surface coating may also be slightly roughened. This serves the purpose of both withstanding abrasion and increasing the sound effect caused by the sliding movement across the rattle elements.

The rattle elements I? are shot, rough pebbles or the like. They may be given such form and color as will enhance their attractiveness to the child.

The rattle is assembled by the usual methods, it thus being possible to loosely confine the rattle elements I! Within the compartment or container formed between the members 5 and 9. The handle or ring I4 is a convenient means by which the child may shake the rattle to produce the desired sound. At the same time the rattle elements may be caused to appear opposite the panel 8 and practically disappear within the recess I2.

Not only will the usual effect of the rattle be obtained but by the transparent panel the optical appeal will be enhanced. The rattle elements may also thus be associated with the picture displayed on the inner surface of the back member.

This arrangement of rattle will have obvious advantages and may easily be changed in form and material without departing from the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A rattle having a front member with a generally fiat transparent panel, a back member of opaque material fitted to the front member to form therewith a hollow container, a layer on the inner surface of the back, a transparent coating for the layer and rattle elements loosely confined in said container.

2. A rattle having a front member with a generally flat transparent panel, a back member of opaque material fitted to the front member to form therewith a hollow container, a

layer on the inner surface of the back, a rough surfaced transparent coating for the layer and rattle elements loosely confined in said container.

3. A rattle having a front member with a generally flat transparent panel and peripheral stepped sides, a member of opaque material having a generally flat back panel and peripheral stepped sides, the sides of said members interfitting to form a hollow container, a transparent wearing coating for said back panel and rattle elements loosely confined in said container.

4. A rattle having a front member with a generally flat transparent panel and peripheral stepped sides, a member of opaque material having a generally flat back panel and peripheral stepped sides, the sides of said members interfitting to form a hollow container, a transparent wearing coating for said back panel and rattle elements loosely confined in said container, the sides of said members having enlarged portions to form a recess for the rattle elements.

5. A rattle having a front member with a generally flat transparent panel and peripheral stepped sides, a member of opaque material having a generally fiat back panel and peripheral stepped sides, the sides of said members interfitting to form a hollow container, a transparent wearing coating for said back panel, rattle elements loosely confined in said container, the sides of said members having enlarged portions to form a recess for the rattle elements and a handle connected to said enlarged portions.

MORTON DAVIS. 

